Workshop with the Lutheran Church of Peru

Many LWF member churches operate in disaster-prone contexts. If a tsunami, an earthquake or a sudden violent outbreak hits, churches have to be prepared and know how to respond to such emergency situations.

The overall objective of the workshop is to enhance participants’ understanding and skills for improved engagement in humanitarian response. An important element of the training is theological reflection on disaster preparedness and emergency response. Through biblical stories participants gain a deeper understanding of the church’s role in the face of human loss and suffering – and explore common ground between faith and humanitarian principles in a people-centered approach which affirms the dignity of every person. They acquire practical skills relating to psychosocial support, risk analysis and contingency planning, and learn about other humanitarian networks and actors in their context.

DRR & Emergency Preparedness and Response

Department: Department for Mision and Development with Department for World Service

Program: Capacity for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response (CDPER)

Languages: Spanish

The Web of Life: Biodiversity

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis), is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew your human vocation to care for it.

The theme for 2019 is the Web of Life, and this year’s resource equips us to encounter the biodiversity of our local ecology, and promote ways in which we can protect it. The land, animals, plants, minerals and all of creation are good, and necessary to sustain life. The Covenant that God made for Noah was established between God and all of creation. This year’s resource equips you to renew that covenant, and reclaim your place in the web of life. It offers an ecumenical prayer service that you can host in your parish or congregation, background information on the importance of biodiversity, and links to more information about campaigns and practices to protect the land as local habitats to nurture the local diversity of plants and animals.

The Season of Creation will end with an online, international, ecumenical prayer service on 4 October, hosted by the LWF and our Season of Creation partners.

Languages: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese

Location: Online event

Find the Season of Creation Celebration Guide

Read more 2019 Season of Creation guide now available (LWI) - The...

Celebrating creation’s ‘Web of Life’

The Bible and biodiversity

On Thursday 26 September at 12:30 the photo exhibition “And It Is Good” will be launched in the lobby of the Ecumenical Centre, 150 route de Ferney, Geneva. The exhibition pairs photos of nature and creation with verses from the Bible. The exhibition is launched in New York and Geneva in the week of the Climate Action Summit, to draw attention to the importance of biodiversity affirm the creation is good.

It is jointly presented by ACT Alliance, The Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, and the World Council of Churches. The exhibition will be on display in countries around the world until the COP25 Climate Conference in Santiago, Chile, in December, where it will be on display during the conference

The exhibition will be opened by Bishop Solveig Fiske, the Church of Norway and Bishop Solveig Lara Gudmundsdottir, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland in the presence of the general secretaries of the LWF Rev. Dr Martin Junge  and the WCC Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.

About the exhibition

“In a time marked by climate change, habitat loss and mass extinction, we invite you to reflect on the web of life,” the introduction to the exhibition states.

“Biodiversity is an ecological concept. It reminds us that healthy ecosystems depend on a diversity of flora, fauna and minerals.” At the same time biodiversity is a theological concept, it “is the wisdom of God woven into the fabric of creation.”

“And It Is Good” features photographs by Jonny Baker, Stéphane Gallay, Sean Hawkey, Albin Hillert, Cornelia Kästner, Joanna Lindén-Montes, and Johanan Celine Valeriano. Stéphane Gallay designed the exhibition. It was curated by Árni Svanur Daníelsson and Chad Rimmer.

The exhibition forms a part of the Season of Creation, a joint ecumenical celebration of prayer and action to protect creation.

More information

The wisdom of God woven into the fabric of creation - LWF Press release 20th September 2019

Bible, biodiversity portrayed via photo exhibition in New York and Geneva"- WCC Press release 20th September 2019

Media contacts

ACT Alliance

Daniela Varano, Communication Officer, Phone:+41 22 791 63 34

The Lutheran World Federation

Rev. Arni Svanur Daníelsson, Head of Communication, The Lutheran World Federation, tel. +41 78 929 9686, [email protected]

World Council of Churches

Marianne Ejdersten, WCC Director of Communication , 

e-mail: [email protected], mobile phone: +41 79 507 63 63

Season of Creation

View More News

LWF News

Earth Day: Rethinking our ecological footprint 22 April 2020 GENEVA, Switzerland COP25 in pictures 17 December 2019 MADRID, Spain/GENEVA “We must hear the cry of the Earth” 13 December 2019 MADRID, Spain/GENEVA Indonesia: Advocating for climate justice 12 December 2019 PEMATANGSINTAR, Indonesia/GENEVA

25th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Will be held in Madrid

The impact of climate change constitutes one of the most critical threats to human life and nature, directly affecting the lives of the poor and most vulnerable worldwide. Climate change hits harder than projected by climate science. The latest Special IPCC Reports emphasize that the world needs to take urgent, transformative action to avert the most severe impacts of global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius.

LWF advocates for climate justice with a strong focus on ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that it is possible to stay at 1.5 C to prevent a climate disaster. It is an increasing matter of concern that climate action itself can be detrimental to justice and people's rights as mitigation or adaptation policies and projects, if poorly planned, can undermine those for whom they are intended. Thus, climate action should be designed and implemented so as to respect and promote justice for humans and other species, and human rights.

The LWF delegation at COP 25 brings together experienced climate leaders, who together with a youth delegation, advocate for the voiceless from a faith perspective along with ecumenical partners.

Find more information on this subject at:

• LWF on Climate Justice
• LWF COP Delegations
• LWF Assembly Resolution on Climate Change
• ACT Alliance: Climate Change Advocacy Framework Position (2016–2018)

Challenges and Potential for Society and Schools

The conference invites theological and scientific researchers, faith leaders, and people engaged in education and activism (advocacy). Participants will explore how environmental ethics can be a point for dialogue among people of different faiths. 

The conference aims to share new knowledge, and inspire educators, scientists and faith leaders who are committed to ways that religion and beliefs nurture deeper ecological reflection and action. Participants will share data and experiences on how religious institutions are responding to environmental problems.  

The following questions will be addressed:  

• How do different religious traditions understand the intersection between sustainability and theology?  
• What is the potential for ecological sustainability to be a platform for interfaith dialogue and practical cooperation between people of different faiths and traditions?  
• How can these efforts be implemented in religious and public education?  

Topics such as eco-theology, environmental ethics, dialogue and teaching methods will be explored through keynote presentations, thematic group work and excursions around Bergen, voted as the best Norwegian city for climate research.  

Organized by:

• Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (Bergen Campus)
• The Church of Norway
• The Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities in Norway (STL)

Co-organizers

• The Lutheran World Federation
• Al Mowafaqa Ecumenical Institute of Theology (Rabbat, Morocco)

Deadline for registering as a participant is 10 January 2020. In addition to keynote presentations, participants are invited to propose theoretical and scientific papers. 

Registration

Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope

Register for the webinar which has been planned by the Season of Creation steering committee and takes up this year's theme "Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope". 

Speakers: 

• Ruth Valerio - Tearfund 
• Rei Crizaldo - Micah Global 
• Martin Kopp - Commission on Ecology and Climate Justice of the French Protestant Federation  
• Fr. Joshtrom Kureethadam - Ecology and Creation Sector of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development 
• Ruth Padilla deBorst - Latin America Theological Fellowship  

Moderated by:  

• Chad Rimmer - The Lutheran World Federation  
• Dave Bookless - A Rocha 

Online Registration

Jubilee for the Earth

Join the opening prayer for the 2020 Season of Creation.

This year’s theme, “Jubilee for the Earth”, invites us to consider the integral relationship between rest for the earth and ecological, economic, social and political ways of living.

This particular year, the need for just and sustainable systems has been revealed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis). This is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew our human vocation to care for it.

Online registration

Many churches in the ecumenical family observe the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between 1 September and 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as observed by some Western traditions. For the Lutheran communion, this liturgical season of prayer and action is an opportunity to affirm LWF’s commitment to address a central crisis of our time – climate change. “Jubilee for the Earth” is the 2020 theme for the “Season of Creation”.

Season of Creation videos

LWF Season of Creation page

Jubilee for the Earth: Season of Creation 2020 Celebration Guide

Season of Creation 2020

The ecumenical Season of Creation lasts from 1 September (Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) until 4 October (Feast day of St. Francis). This is an invitation to engage in a month of prayer, symbolic acts, and campaigns to give thanks for creation and renew our human vocation to care for it.  

The 2020 theme, “Jubilee for the Earth”, invites us to consider the integral relationship between rest for the earth and ecological, economic, social and political ways of living. This particular year, the need for just and sustainable systems has been revealed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Celebration Guide contains liturgical resources, prayers and meditations, and calls to action and advocacy. It can be used by individuals or congregations to nurture the moral imagination to restore right, just, and sustainable relationships with the Earth and among all species.

Many churches in the ecumenical family observe the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between 1 September and 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as observed by some Western traditions. For the Lutheran communion, this liturgical season of prayer and action is an opportunity to affirm LWF’s commitment to address a central crisis of our time – climate change. “Jubilee for the Earth” is the 2020 theme for the “Season of Creation”.

Season of Creation videos

LWF Season of Creation page

Jubilee for the Earth: Season of Creation 2020 Celebration Guide

Faith Leaders gather to close Season of Creation with prayers for a Jubilee for the Earth

4 October is the final day of the Season of Creation. Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox leaders will gather online with Christians from around the world to pray for a Jubilee for the Earth. Alongside faith leaders from the Orthodox tradition, the Vatican, World Council of Churches, CEC, the Anglican Communion and the World Evangelical Alliance, the Lutheran World Federation will be represented by the General Secretary, Rev. Dr Martin Junge, and LWF Vice President, Rev. Dr Jeanette Ada Maina.

Join us for this closing prayer for the 2020 Season of Creation. This year’s theme, “Jubilee for the Earth”, invites us to consider the integral relationship between rest for the earth and ecological, economic, social and political ways of living. This particular year, the need for just and sustainable systems has been revealed by the far-reaching effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Register for the online event

Many churches in the ecumenical family observe the “Season of Creation” (also known as Creation Time) between 1 September and 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, as observed by some Western traditions. For the Lutheran communion, this liturgical season of prayer and action is an opportunity to affirm LWF’s commitment to address a central crisis of our time – climate change. “Jubilee for the Earth” is the 2020 theme for the “Season of Creation”.

Season of Creation videos

LWF Season of Creation page

Jubilee for the Earth: Season of Creation 2020 Celebration Guide

Online event during the 44th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council

During the 44th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council the LWF is co-hosting a series of three webinars on human rights, ethics and climate change.

The COVID-19 crisis is affecting the whole of humanity. It poses a threat to human rights and calls for new forms of living together on this Earth for all members of the human family.

This webinar series will discuss climate change and human rights from an ethical and spiritual perspective, bringing together a diversity of voices.

This first panel presents grassroots partners, raises general concerns and proposes an ethical perspective on the present crises.

Speakers:

• Yves Lador, Earthjustice
• Tetet Nera Lauron, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
• Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Association of Peul Women and Autochthonous Peoples of Chad (AFPAT)
• YebSaño, Greenpeace Southeast Asia
• Sister Jayanti, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

Moderator:

• Valériane Bernard, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

Follow the event on Youtube Live

Questions on Youtube Live or at the email [email protected]